| accretion |
the process of gradual increase or growth, especially by additions from the outside. |
| apprehensive |
feeling fearful about future events. |
| bathos |
a sudden descent from an exalted style or esteemed state to the commonplace. |
| brash |
rudely self-assertive; bold; impudent. |
| burgeon |
to start to grow; send forth shoots, leaves, buds, or the like (often followed by "out" or "forth"). |
| comity |
mutual courtesy and respectful treatment among people or nations. |
| gadfly |
a persistent critic, especially of established institutions and policies. |
| heinous |
extremely wicked or despicable; atrocious. |
| incursion |
a raid or sudden invasion. |
| intelligentsia |
the elite class of highly learned people within a society, or those who consider themselves part of such a class. |
| mendicant |
living on charity; begging. |
| nostrum |
a favorite but unproven scheme or theory, offered as a remedy for social or political problems; panacea. |
| pelf |
money or wealth, usually regarded with disapproval or contempt. |
| perilous |
causing or involving great danger; risky; hazardous. |
| tort |
in law, any civil rather than criminal harm or injury that violates the implicit duty of each citizen not to harm others, and for which one may bring a civil suit and collect compensation. |